Natalie Rapoport

Natalie Rapoport passed away peacefully in Easton, MD, on Monday, November 14, with her loving family by her side. Born on April 22, 1927, in Waterbury, CT, she was the daughter of Benedict and Polly (Kraft) Rabinowitz. Our compass and our lodestar, Natalie’s 95-year voyage was a great one. A woman with strong opinions, she broke barriers and blazed trails while relishing her role as a sports fan, rooting for the Huskies and the Yankees in the good times and bad. Above all, she was a constant pillar of strength for her children and grandchildren. Her family always knew that, throughout life, no matter what else happened, Natalie would be there for them. Natalie graduated from Crosby High School before obtaining a Bachelor of Science from Western Connecticut State University. She had previously attended the University of Connecticut where she met her late husband, Samuel Rapoport, a returning WWII veteran. They made their home, careers, and family in Waterbury, CT. Natalie was an active member of the Jewish community, a congregant of Beth-El Synagogue for 68 years where she taught religious school and served as President of the Sisterhood and Treasurer of the congregation. She was also President of the Connecticut branch of The Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. She represented the 73rd district in the Connecticut State Legislature from 1973-1981, serving under three governors: Tom Meskill, Ella Grasso, and Willian O’Neil. She was the first female Assistant Majority Leader of the house, the President of the Connecticut Order of Women Legislators, and was a candidate for Secretary of State in 1974. Her greatest policy achievements during her tenure in the legislature centered on expanding medical insurance to newborns, allowing binding arbitration for state employees, and bringing handicap access to major bus lines in Connecticut. She helped establish women's shelters in the state and was actively involved in their operation. After leaving office, she spent 15 years as an Education Specialist for the State Department of Education. In later years, Natalie moved to Southbury, CT, where she lived with her companion of 27 years, Sol Lepson. She was a lifetime member of Hadassah and served as the President of the Southbury chapter for six years. In 2015, she relocated to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She lived in the Londonderry community where she served as a member of the finance board. Natalie was a firm believer that the show must go on. So that's what we'll do. She will always be a part of our life and dreams. Natalie is survived by her two children, Cheryl (Rapoport) & Arnold Kramer, of Easton, MD and Jeffrey & Debra (Silverman) Rapoport, Vero Beach, FL. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Adam & Amy (Marks) Kramer, Hoboken, NJ; Vanessa (Kramer) & John Procter, Alexandria, VA; Jordan Rapoport, Austin, TX; and Samantha (Rapoport) & Daniel Bart, Chicago, IL; and three great-grandchildren, Nora & Nash Procter and Vivian Kramer. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and three brothers: Simon, Arthur, and Gerald Rabinowitz. Donations in her memory can be made to Temple B’nai Israel of Easton (https://bnaiisraeleaston.org/donations-in-honor-of/) or The Connecticut Foodshare (https://www.ctfoodbank.org/donate/ways-to-give/donate-funds/).

Natalie Rapoport

April 22, 1927 - November 14, 2022